Looking to Tackle a Holiday Home Sale with Kids? Here's How
Whatever the reason for your move, selling during the busy holiday season may not be the most ideal timing -- especially with kids -- but it can be done. As the days grow shorter, the pool of available homes for sale becomes smaller, making the holidays a great time to sell your home. Let’s take a look at what you can do to tackle a holiday home sale with kids.
It’s a great time to buy and sell
Before you start becoming overwhelmed with everything you need to do to get to settlement, realize that you’ve picked a good time of year to sell. Not only is there less inventory on the market for buyers to choose from, but most people looking to buy during the holidays are serious buyers wanting to get that home sale done before the first of the year. And if you live in a mild climate, the holidays are just as good of a time than any.
And if you’re purchasing a new home to facilitate your move, make sure you plan ahead. Complete a rough calculation on the profit you’ll make after the sale of your home to determine how much home you can afford. The last thing you want to do is go over-budget with your new home, especially when you may need to complete repairs to your current home before you sell.
Make it a family affair
Selling your home with kids can be a challenge, especially if you’ve got messy teenagers or toy-strewing toddlers. Get your kids involved in the home sale process by having them pitch in. This is a great time to practice and reinforce organization skills by challenging your children to keep their areas neat and tidy -- you never know when your agent will want to show your home.
Tackle clutter together
If your family exchanges gifts during the holidays, the promise of new and exciting toys and gadgets can be an excellent incentive to purge old and unused items. If you find your little one is fighting letting go of a toy they’ve haven’t played with in eons, remind them that they need to make space for the new toys they’ll be receiving soon. When your kids are a part of the decision-making process, they take ownership of purging unused and unwanted items and are in a great position to organize and pack items they wish to keep, but won’t use in the immediate future.
De-cluttering old clothing and toys is a great way for kids to pitch in, as well as a way to get your home ready for showings. Not only will a neat and organized home attract buyers, but it can also give you a head start on your impending move if you box up items you know you won’t be using soon as you go through possessions. Consider clearing all of the photos and cards from your refrigerator door and packing them with the awkwardly-cute school projects peppering your shelves. This will de-personalize your home, allowing potential buyers the opportunity to envision themselves in your space.
Make it cozy
If you’re the type who goes “all-out” with the holiday decorations for your kids, consider taming it down a bit this year. You don’t have to forego the holiday cheer but go for a more muted holiday decor that will suit all tastes. Think simple white lights or electric candles in the windows rather than inflatables in the front yard and blinking colored lights strung everywhere.
Soft white lights and some greenery can make your home seem both festive and cozy. If you have a fireplace, let it blaze for home showings, staving off the wintery chill and planting daydreams of evenings in front of the fire for prospective buyers. If baking’s your thing, feel free to bake before a showing, infusing homey smells throughout your home -- just make sure you do a stellar clean-up, especially if the kids are helping!
Go neutral
While it may be difficult for some children, converting bright bedroom or playroom murals into neutral spaces with coats of paint can make a difference in how buyers view your home. While you may have labored forever creating a bright mural or painting a bedroom scene to fit a theme, it’s time to say goodbye to them. Vinyl wall decals are easier to remove, but try to get a coat of paint over brightly-colored rooms, even if you’re in a time-crunch.
While it may be emotional to pack away beloved photos and artwork, as well as covering the nursery design you worked so hard to create, look to the light at the end of the tunnel. This holiday season may be a little chaotic, but you’ll be making new memories in your new home.